[Paddlewise] Retailer question/loose ferrules/Cadence

Hello everyone,
  I am helping a friend shop for touring paddles and I wanted to hear an 
opinion from you touring types regarding the ferrules of a touring paddle.
  Disclaimer: I sell paddling gear.
  My friend has done his homework and came to me looking for an Aquabound 
Tripper in carbonfiber, or a Cadence Phantom Gx. No problem, both in stock.
  However, when he pulled them off the shelf, and waved them around a bit, it 
became clear that the Aquabound(s) had play in the ferrule even though the 
paddle had just come off the truck the day before.
  I wiggled the ferrules of all the Aquabounds, and they all had some measure 
of room, some more than others, while the Cadence was as solid as a one piece.
  As a whitewater paddler, and owner of several "nice" one-piece paddles, I 
had not ever personally experienced this "freeplay" as all of my long touring 
trips involve nonslip crown joint ferrules. I've seen it in old paddles, but 
never paddled with it.
          so my question for you touring types:
  My friends question for me, that I need to find a good answer for, is does a 
small amount of play in the shaft bother you on longer trips?
  Or would my friend, a customer, be better served to buy the snugfitting 
Phantom - similar price. Note: I have sold dozens of Aquabounds and customers 
seem to love them, I know it's good stuff. But I have yet to paddle with the 
new Phantom, so I am selling on faith for the next week or so 'till I get it 
outside.

I'd love to hear from you, - esp. the long-timers with two-pieces.
Respectfully,
Phil Huck
thekayaker_at_yahoo.com
huck_at_mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu

thekayaker_at_yahoo.com
huck_at_mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu

"Chopped cabbage is not just a good idea, its the slaw."

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